Profiles of COX-2 inhibitors: present and future

Cyclooxygenases are responsible for the biosynthesis of prostanoids, the overt presence of which is often associated with inflammation and pain. Since the discovery of COX-2 in the last decade, a myriad of selective COX-2 inhibitors and their pharmacological profiles have been witnessed. Pharmacological observations of selective inhibition of COX-2 often go beyond initial expectations. This review is an overview of issues on selective COX-2 inhibitors, which include gastrointestinal and cardiovascular safety, emerging therapeutic areas and differentiation in drug profiles expected to be addressed by future generation COX-2 inhibitors. This article also covers recent patents and papers on new COX-2 inhibitors published since 2002. Future generation COX-2 inhibitors are sure to be safer and meet better medical needs than the COX-2 inhibitors currently available for the treatment or prevention of broadly ranged COX-2-mediated disorders.